What is Crystal? To start with, what is a mineral? might be a better question. A mineral is "naturally occurring homogeneous solid with a definite chemical composition and a highly ordered atomic arrangement" (Encyclopedia Britanica). They are usually formed from inorganic processes and make up the crystals, rocks and gemstones of the world. There must also be a definite crystalline structure to the atomic arrangement, colour and hardness. However, these may vary greatly, especial colour, not only from one specimen to another but within the same specimen. Each mineral has a specific hardness. A crystal is "a three-dimensional atomic, ionic, or molecular structure consisting of periodically repeated, identically constituted, congruent unit cells" (Readers Digest, Great Illustrated Dictionary). So now you know! These three dimensional, atomic, ionic, or molecular structures (OK lets call them crystals!) have been used and revered since the dawn of mankind. The Judaeo - Christian Bible refers to them over 200 times. Crystals and artifacts made from crystals have been found in the ruins of Babylon, Pyramids of Ancient Egypt, tombs of Ancient Chinese Emperors and Toltec, Mayan, Aztec and Inca sites in South America. Crystals have both piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. Piezoelectricity is where electricity is produced by pressure. Many early cultures (e.g. Mayan, Aztec, Native American Indian, African and Celtic) used to strike quartz crystals with a wooden mallet, resulting in a flash of light. Imagine the scene around a fire in the darkness of night, the shaman/medicine man calls on the spirits/gods and light flashes around the scene! Compression releases electrons from their atomic bonding - flash of light - they then return to the atomic nuclei. These electrons are continuously vibrating and almost any energy source placed near a crystal will cause an increase in this vibration. It is not uncommon for personal crystals to fracture or shatter during use. Pyroelectricity is produced by temperature. Simply holding a crystal in your hand gives enough heat to generate the pyroelectric effect. Quartz crystal will focus any type of energy. You can see this for yourself if you hold a quartz crystal over the palm of your hand and rotate it slowly in a clockwise direction. You will see a point of light moving around your hand, under the crystal, as it focuses the light in the room (or sunlight). Crystals grow (literally) out of a chaotic mineral environment. They bring the environment around them into balance. This is how crystals work in healing. They bring you/your cells to balance. There are only two things that can go wrong with the human body. Either something external coming in from the outside such as a bacterium, virus, toxin, allergen etc., or something creating an internal change such as emotions, thought patterns, mental processes etc. With an external factor, for example a bacterial infection, one bacterial cell infects one cell in your body. This process happens hundreds or thousand of times every day. Usually your cell recognizes the invader and destroys it and/or eliminates it from itself. Sometimes the bacterium starts to multiply and begins to take over the functioning of your cell. More and more bacteria are reproduced until your cell is ready to burst. Then there is a change in the electrical potential of the cell membrane and the cell bursts releasing thousands of bacteria to infect other cells in your body. A crystal (the correct one in each specific instance) will balance the electrical potential of your cell membrane and the cell itself. Your cell will "think" it is normal and act so. Its normal action would be to destroy and eliminate the foreign bacterial cells causing the infection. In the second instance crystals balance the electrical potential of cells governing your emotional and mental processes, bringing these to balance. Crystals cannot harm (unless dropped from a significant height!) as they simply balance. That is not to say that some people do not feel energy shifts whilst working with crystals. The point of balance must first be found and like a scale finding its balance point some up and down movements are often experienced prior to equilibrium. Crystals amplify, focus, store, transmit, transmute (change from one type to another), hold and channel energy. Energy being a universal force which cannot be created or destroyed and is not inherently either positive or negative, good or evil or anything else. Energy is simply energy or the Universal Life Force. It may change, or be changed, from one type to another, for example, electrical to light. Crystals can be carried or worn. They may be placed in your surroundings, in homes, offices, workplaces, recreational areas and goldfish bowls. They have been known to reduce the harmful effects of radiation from microwaves, mobile telephones, television and computer screens. They can calm the energies in a room making your environment feel more relaxed, or energised. They can increase your focus and boost creativity. In fact, I cannot think of anything that crystals cannot help with. Disclaimer Arcana-Arcana provides information and products designed for your benefit. Whilst our descriptions of products will, at times, refer to healing properties of the items in question - they should not be used in diagnosis or treatment. This site is in no way designed to replace either healing or medicine. In case of serious illness you should consult the practitioner of your choice. What is Incense? Incense has been burned since Ancient times by most cultures and religions in some form or another. From the Native American Indians with smudge sticks of wild sage to the church with their altar incense of frankincense and myrrh, the burning of incense is still prevalent today. Different smells can invoke strong emotions and change how we feel in an instant. Our sense of smell is a link from our sub-conscious mind to our environment and the simple act of smelling a flower may bring a feeling of light heartedness or memories of people or events. Incense is a combination of resins, gums, spices and herbs that are burnt to give pleasant fragrances. The ingredients are usually frankincense, stryrax, benzoin, and cascarill bark, combined in various proportions. Other substances often used in incense include balsm, cinnamon, myrrh, sandalwood and musk. Frankincense is the best known ingredient of incense. It is a resin which comes from bushes that traditionally grew in the southern Arabian peninsular. It has been used as a sacred gift to the gods in most Middle Eastern religions. Frankincense was also used by the Egyptians and in the Temples of Jerusalem and the Romans seemingly couldn't get enough of it. Why not try one of our extensive ranges of high quality incense whether; it is for mediation and relaxation or to raise the energies of your special place What are Power Bracelets? Why are stars such as Madonna, Robbie Williams and Goldie Hawn wearing Power Bracelets. Mel C, Ricky Martin, Sheryl Crow, Patsy Palmer, Elle Macpherson, the Spices (Sporty, Scary and Baby), Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock and Bryan McFadden all wear them. Interestingly the famous feminist, writer and academic Germain Greer also wear them. So does Mega star Richard Gere - they tie in with his Buddhist beliefs. Crystals and semi precious stones have been used for thousands of years by people all over the world for healing, protection, bringing happiness and good luck. Power Bracelets, also known as Karma Bracelets or Buddha Beads, were specifically inspired by the bracelets worn by the Dalai Lama. Buddhist prayer beads have twenty one 8mm beads on an elastic thread. A prayer or mantra is chanted on each Bead (so you can keep count of the repetitions without "counting"). So quite suddenly we find traditions, linking Buddhism and shamanic cultures throughout the world, becoming fashion accessories. Interestingly the fashion press often refers to the "Power of accessories". This time it is for real. And it is happening now because of the stress and pressure of 21st century life. Simply wearing a power bracelet and focusing your attention on it will help to calm and relax your mind, but it goes deeper. Every crystal and mineral works on different areas of your body having different effects. Colours also have effects on s. Some people say red brings passion and love; orange - energy; yellow - wisdom; green - wealth; light blue - peace; dark blue - knowledge; purple - honesty and truth; More recently it has been suggested that pink will lead you to romance, white will bring you strength and black courage and protection. Brown can help give you grace, and silver brings good luck and clear crystal brings clarity to thoughts and mind. The most recent colour-link I've heard of links clear crystal to the Millennium. When I first heard this I thought that it was simply another fashion trend, but my mind went back to a piece I wrote in "the Dawning" in January 2000; "Welcome to the dawning of a new age. For one moment in time, 24 hours, almost the entire planet joined in a celebration of this dawn. This joyous release of energy shifted something, moved people, and changed things in general. The air feels different. No doubt some people will be unsure of this new feelings, some will relish it and grow with it and some may deny it - BUT IT IS HERE! Welcome it with open arms and let this new energy flow for joy, peace, love and happiness" (1). Power Bracelets are a sign of this New Age. They get people talking, communicating, linking together. Somehow just by wearing them new people come into your life. They are a sign of Universal love and peace. The Dalai Lama's own message spread through the "Power of accessories" Some people say Power Bracelets work because they help to balance the chakras (energy centres in your body) or they have magical powers or as the psychologist would infer they are "pro-self esteem messages"! They work because crystals and crystal healing works.